King James Version

Psalms 126:1

When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

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Hebrew

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The heading is Hebrew Psalms 126:1.

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שִׁ֗ירshirsongשִׁירnoun, common, both genders, singular, construct — “song”, the of-form, joined to the next wordH7892a song; abstractly, singingmusical(-ick), [idiom] sing(-er, -ing), song.הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹתhamaalotthe stepמַעֲלָהdefinite article, noun, common, feminine, plural, absolute — “the step”, the ordinary formH4609elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or grademark, figuratively, a superiority of station); specifically a climactic progression (in certain Psalms)things that come up, (high) degree, deal, go up, stair, step, story.

בְּשׁ֣וּבbeshuvin againשׁוּבpreposition, verb, qal, infinitive construct — “in again”, the to-form of the verbH7725to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again,…יְ֭הוָהyehvahJehovahיְהֹוָהnoun, proper name — “Jehovah”H3068Jehovah, Jewish national name of GodJehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה).אֶתetobject markerאֵתparticle, direct object marker — “object marker”H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)(as such unrepresented in English).שִׁיבַ֣תshivatcaptivityשִׁיבָהnoun, common, feminine, singular, construct — “captivity”, the of-form, joined to the next wordH7870a return (of property)captivity.צִיּ֑וֹןtsionZionצִיּוֹןnoun, proper name — “Zion”H6726Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of JerusalemZion.הָ֝יִ֗ינוּhayinvbeהָיָהverb, qal, perfect, 1st person, common, plural — “be”, a completed actionH1961to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use.כְּחֹלְמִֽיםkecholemimas dreamחָלַםpreposition, verb, qal, participle, absolute — “as dream”, a verb used as a describing wordH2492properly, to bind firmly, i.e. (by implication) to be (causatively to make) plump; also (through the figurative sense of dumbness) to dream(cause to) dream(-er), be in good liking, recover.

Jewish translation (JPS 1917)

A Song of Ascents. When the LORD brought back those that returned to Zion, we were like unto them that dream.

Compare Public-Domain Translations

The King James Version remains the text of this page and the canonical URL.

American Standard Version (1901)

When Jehovah brought back those that returned to Zion, We were like unto them that dream.

Young’s Literal Translation

A Song of the Ascents. In Jehovah's turning back [to] the captivity of Zion, We have been as dreamers.

World English Bible

When Yahweh brought back those who returned to Zion, we were like those who dream.

Darby Translation

When Jehovah turned the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

Douay-Rheims

Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city, he watcheth in vain that keepeth it.

Jewish Publication Society (1917)

A Song of Ascents. When the LORD brought back those that returned to Zion, we were like unto them that dream.

Brenton’s Septuagint (1851), English

A Song of Degrees. When the Lord turned the captivity of Sion, we became as comforted ones.

Septuagint (Brenton’s Greek, 1851)

Ὠδὴ τῶν ἀναβαθμῶν. Ἐν τῷ ἐπιστρέψαι Κύριον τὴν αἰχμαλωσίαν Σιὼν, ἐγενήθημεν ὡσεὶ παρακεκλημένοι.